AUSTRALIA— Victoria has recorded 1534 new local Covid-19 cases and 13 deaths as the state moves closer to fully vaccinating 80 per cent of its population aged 16 and over.
Pedestrians wearing face masks walk through Melbourne’s Southbank. Photo: AFP
There are now 24,164 active cases of the virus, and 247 people have died during the current Delta outbreak.
The new cases were detected from 83,210 test results received yesterday.
There were 24,180 doses of vaccine administered at state-run sites, and more vaccinations at GP clinics and other venues.
Victoria is expected to reach the 80 per cent fully vaccinated milestone by Friday, triggering the further easing of restrictions across the state.
Unvaccinated tennis players will be allowed in
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed tennis players not vaccinated will be allowed to travel to Melbourne for the Australian Open, but will be subjected to two weeks quarantine.
Morrison’s comments contradict those of Federal Immigration Minister Alex Hawke, who said last week that tennis players would have to be fully vaccinated.
Morrison said tennis players would be subject to the same requirements as other international visitors.
“The same rules apply to everyone, whether you’re a Grand Slam winner, a prime minister, a business traveller, a student or whoever. Same rules,” he told Channel Seven.
He also said he expected international tourists to return to Australia before the end of the year.
New law targeting anti-vaxxers comes into effect in NSW
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet hinted that the date for a further easing of restrictions could be brought forward after the state reached 85 per cent. Photo: 2021 Getty Images
NSW has introduced a new law stopping people from using fake vaccine certificates after the state recorded 304 new local cases of Covid-19.
As of today it is now illegal to present a fake proof of vaccination when attempting to enter venues in NSW.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard signed off on the amendment to the public order yesterday after concerns about people procuring forged certificates.
Security experts have warned the federal government’s Covid-19 vaccination certificates can be forged within 10 minutes as people can alter or copy versions of the certificates and then change the name shown.
The amendment to the NSW health order states a person must not provide, display or produce information or evidence purporting to show the person is fully vaccinated, unless the information or evidence is true and accurate.
Breaching the health order attracts a maximum penalty of imprisonment for six months and/or a AU$11,000 fine.
Until December 1 many restrictions apply to what unvaccinated people can and can’t do in NSW, which include limitations on retail, entertainment and gatherings.
Three more people died from the virus in the 24 hours to 8pm yesterday, bringing the death toll for the state’s Delta outbreak to 306.
The first dose vaccination rate is inching closer to 95 per cent with 93.2 per cent of people over the age of 16 now partially vaccinated.
Earlier this month the state’s chief health officer Kerry Chant said her aim was to see the state get to at least 95 per cent vaccination.
Currently 85.5 per cent of people over 16 have had two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Yesterday, Premier Dominic Perrottet hinted that the date for a further easing of restrictions could be brought forward after the state reached the 85 per cent milestone.
Perrottet said the high vaccination coverage had provided the government with an opportunity to “revisit” parts of the Covid-19 roadmap and possibly bring forward the planned December 1 easing of restrictions.
He said he would also reconsider the requirement for HSC students to wear masks during their exams.
Over 89,000 people were tested for Covid-19 in the latest reporting period and 418 are being treated in hospital.
Intensive care admissions have dropped to their lowest rate since August 22 with 97 people currently in ICUs.
